Soybean Production

Cool, wet soil conditions in late April and May may have enhanced the potential for soybean injury from PPO-inhibiting herbicides. The author describes plant injury symptoms to look for when scouting young soybean seedlings.

Cool, wet conditions in May may be contributing to soybean seedling injury from disease. Scouting is recommended to identify diseases and differentiate injury from that caused by herbicides when determining potential stand loss.

Irrigation Management

Now is a good time to do a quick evaluation of the pumping plant, well, and center pivot to ensure they are in good working order before you have to rely on them during the heat of the summer. Here are a few quick checks you can do to help ensure a successful irrigation season.

With planting wrapping up across the state, now is an excellent time to install soil water sensors and ETgages. Timely installation is important to gaining the true benefits of sensors: reduced irrigation costs, less nutrient leaching, and reduced chances of overwatering leading to anaerobic soil conditions. Find information on water and economic savings and tips for installing soil moisture sensors and ETgages.

Weather

Above normal temperatures since June 1 have reduced accumulated GDD deficits from late April and May. Preliminary analysis suggests that GDD deficits (corn base) have been eliminated across southern Nebraska and reduced across northern Nebraska. See current GDD table.

Wheat Production

Figure 1. A Wheat Field Day in a grower’s field in Washington County on June 6.

A survey of fields in south central, southeast, and northeast Nebraska shows wheat diseases increasing in severity and occurrence. Stripe rust and leaf rust have developed to severe levels in fields plant with susceptible varieties that weren't sprayed to protect the flag leaf.

Nebraska's 2017 winter wheat crop is forecast at 46.5 million bushels, down 34% from last year's crop, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nationally, winter wheat production is up less than 1%.

Corn Production

Following heavy spring rains, farmers may be interested in testing for soil nitrogen availability. This article notes a new publication from Iowa State University on using the Late Spring Soil Nitrate Test (LSNT) as well as other options for assessing soil nitrate.

Nebraska Extension Field Days & Events

A precision agriculture class looks up as an unmanned aerial vechicle captures the scene at the Christenson Building at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center.

The University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ENREC), representing 53 counties and multiple research and extension facilities, will be hosting its first open house Thursday, June 29 at the former ARDC near Mead.

Figure 1. Nebraska Extension Specialist Dipak Santra describes field pea variety trials at the High Plains Ag Lab Field Day in 2016. This year's event will include similar field tours of research trials.rs June 21.

A June 29 field day, Incorporating Cover Crops and Annual Forages into Cropping Systems, will be held at the University of Nebraska High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. University specialists and researchers will discuss what they're finding from their research and lead guided tours of field trials. RSVP by June 19

Market Journal & Crop Reports

Figure 1. Warm conditions and associated rapid growth lead again to twisted whorls in south central Nebraska corn fields. Upon their emergence, these yellow leaves wave brightly above otherwise green corn canopies. Plants will recover well with no likely impact on yield. See May issues of CropWatch and ISU’s ICM News for more information. (Source Roger Elmore, June 8, 2017, Clay County)